Electroplating apparatus.



J. T. DANIELS.

ELEOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APLIGATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

3 fSHEETS-SHEBT 1.

5. T. DANIELS ELEOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APILI OATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

3 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

T. DANIELS.

ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS,

AlPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

plating, and

UNITED sm rns PA FENT OFFICE.

John T. DANIELS,

OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A$SIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE HANSON dz VAN WINKLECOMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEOTROPLA'IING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Oct. 1a, 1908.

Application filed may 11, 1908. Serial No. 32,071.

Figure I is a central vertical section; Fig.

.lI-a detail on enlargedscale; Fig. III a perspective view fromdirection of arrow on Fig. 1, part on line ac being shown in section;F1g. 'IV a detail on enlarged scale end view of container some partsshown as broken away; Fig. V scale showing the cathode; Fig. VI and VIIdetails on enlarged scale of oscillating cam.

The objectof my present invention cont prises increased facility,rapidity, control, economy and efficiency in olishing, small articles inmass. I have tound that in this art, it is of advantage that the mass,or units, of the articles treated in containers may be positively forcednot only by gravity but also, when required, by centrifugal pressureagainst the cathode and against each other to intensify electricalcontact, also that a relatii ely large volume of electrolytic solutionbe employed, also'that the range of movements il'nparted to the articlesduring treatment he ex tended as possible, also that those portions ofthe solution in proximity to the anodes be kept comparativelystationary, while those )ortions within the container and in proximityto the articles or cathode be agitated and forced to circulate and issuefrom the container as nnich as possible, also that tacilities beafforded for more conveniently and entirely than heretofore removing thearticles from the solution and its proximity, also from their container,and for altering, automatically or at will, and Without interfen ingwith their tumbling, the depth of imably suspended therein from above bya single support or hearing, means to rotate a detail on enlarged.

the art of electro the said container in the solution on an axis at anangle to the level of the -surface of the latter, stationary anodes insaid solution outside of said container, a cathode within and preferablyat the bottom of said container, means to oscillate the said containerin aplane at an angle to the surface level of said solution, and alsothe imparting to said container of a downwardly flared, or truncatedcone, shape, thins imparting thereto a relatively expanded bottom, ofgreater area- Whereby relatively greater centrifugal pressure is appliedto parts of the solution within the container in proximity to thecathode and the articles, resulting in a more. positive flow of thesolution through the container.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the tank of wood, or othernon-conducting ma; terial, containing an electrolytic solution, thelevel, or upper surface of which may be indicated, in the presentinstance, by the line e-a. 2, 2, are contact rods secured to said tankby means of straps 3, 3. 4, i, are binding posts secured to said contactrods and electrically connected by conductor wire 5. By means of thebinding post 6 one of said contact rods 2 is connected, by the conductor wire-lwith the positive pole of .a source of electrical energy. I

7, 7, are anodes suspendedin the solution from rods 3. r

8 is a container, in this instance and preferably, of approximatelytruncated cone shape, having through its sides perforations.

9, 9, permeable by the solution. 'At the bottom, or enlarged end, ofcontainer 8 is located the metallic conductive cathode l0, concentricwith metallic conductive shaft 11, to which it. and'container 8 aresecured and thereby suspended. Preferably wooden, non-conducting meansas spider 12 are secured to shaft and container to increase theirrigidity of connection. The cathode 10 is preferably, as shown, of lessarea than the expanded end, or bottom, of the container upon which it isdisposed, and extends radially a. plurality of directions from thecenter of said shaft. The bottom and sides of the container are'composedof insulating material as for instance wood or celluloid,

or both. The shaft hbove the cathode: is

than said cathode,

preferably provided with radial, inwardly shaft 17, shaft 11, and thusthe container. are

projecting ribs 14:.

Means for rotatably and removably suspending the container from one sidein said solution are provided asfollows:ln brackets 16, secured to oneside of tank 1, is journaled-driving shaft 17, carrying sprocket wheel18, or other means for applying power. Collars 19 prevent shaft 17 frommoving longitudinally. Secured upon shaft 17 is worm-gear 20. Looselymounted on shaft 17 is a frame comprising conductive cross bar 23, whichconnects conductive side arins 22, 22, from which extend downwardlynonconductive or insulated arms 24, in which is loosely journaled shaft17, such connection permitting said frame to be, to an extent,oscillated upon said shaft. One of said side-arms 22 carries aperforated ear 25, the other a pair of perforated ears 26, in which isjournaled a screw-shanks, 27 carrying .a thumb-nut 28. A yoke 29 is bythe bolt 30, pivotally connected at one end with perforated car 25. Theopposite end of said yoke is provided with a slot into which screw-shank27 may be turned and the yoke secured in closed position as shown inFigs.

II and III by turning down thumb-nut 28. Cross-bar 23 carries a pair ofupwardly extending lugs 31, adapted to receive and hold rotatablybetween them shaft 11 and its appurtenances. Secured to shaft 11 iswormwheel 32, adapted to intermesh with wormgear 20 and having hub 33,with annular groove 34 containing anti-friction balls 35.

' Loosely mounted on shaft 11 is conducting collar 36 with annularflanges 3'2, 37 To shaft 11 is secured sleeve 38 having annular groovecontaining anti friction balls 39, said sleeve comprising cam 43rotatable with said shaft on cam bearing 44.

40, 40, Figs. II and I are adjusting and supporting screws threaded intoside-arms The free ends of said screws may bear if required against topof one side of tank 1 and support, and limit the downward movement of,said frame and the shaft 11 suspended therefrom and container 8. One ofthe side arms 22 ofsaid frame carries a binding-post from whichconducting wire 42 connects with the negative pole of the source ofelectrical energy.

The operation is as follows-The container with its appurtenances beingisolated from the remainder of the apparatus is at any convenient placecharged with the articles to be electroplated and simultaneouslypolished by tumbling therein. It is then brought to the tank previouslycharged with a suitable electrolytic solution, and is suspended inlatter by inserting collar 3h between lugs 31 and closing yoke 29. Thisbrings sprocket-wheel 18 and worm gear 20 into operative correlation,and, power being applied. to driving- 15 is a non-conductin rotated inthe solution around an axis at an handle swiveling on shaft 11.

angle to the level of the surface of latter, whereby the articles aretumbled, and, the current being turned on, electroplated. Cam 43 at eachrevolution raises and alternately lowers shaft 11 relatively to cambearing 44 thereby raising and lowering the contained articlesrelatively to said solution, thereby oscillating the container and thearticles in the solution in directions angular to those in which theyare simultaneously rotated. Said oscillation also drives the articles bycentrifugal force against the cathode and against each other compactingthe mass, thus advantageously increasing perfection of contact it alsopositively forces solution out of the container through the apertureslocated in the sphere of the greatest centrifugal action, and causesintake of solution through those apertures where the centrifugal forceis less,

thus insuring when desired, and without interrupting operations, changeand renewal of the solution within the container.

- Whenever desired the container and its contents may, by opening yoke29, and lifting out, be removed from the tank and its vicinity, andanother like container and charge immediately substituted and the tankand its solution thus utilized continuously. The relative expansion ofthe bottom of the container, insures desirable greater agitation of thesolution and the articles proximately to the cathode; also greatercentrifugal presand speed and eflici'ency of polishing, and

sure near the cathode thus assisting removal of stale solution from itsvicinity, and also the concentric cathode of-less area than. saidbottom, assures desirable constant covering of the cathode by thesolution and by the articles. The obliquity of the rotation of thecontainer relatively to the solution contained in the stationary tankalso desirably increases the agitation of the solution proximately tothe articles and its permeation and circulation in and out of thecontainer. The radial blades on the cathode as disposed desirablyincrease the agitation of the articles and the outflow of the solutionfrom their vicinity.

The oblique suspension of the container as described, and itsremovability from the solution, and from proximity to the tank,facilitate and improve electroplating and result in numerous economies.v

I am aware that it has been heretofore suggested that oscillatory tanks,or barrels coutaining electrolytic solutions for electroplating berotated on an inclined axis to cause tumbling of the articles undertreatment. also that such. barrels have contained baskets or the like tocontain said. articles, such baskets being secured to and rotating withsaid barrels, and I do not wish to be understood as claiming any suchdevices, which are broadly distinguishable from my present improvementsin that the said barrels and their contents being supported pivotallyupon a sub-disposed base, instead of being suspended like my container,their oscillation results only in undesirably forcing the articlesccntrifugally out of contact with the cathode and with each other, thereverse being the case in my novelly suspended container, and besides inthe case of the said barrels, the articles are not rotated in a solutioncontained in a stationary tank. I am i also aware that articles havebeen heretofore tumbled in drums rotated in stationary'tanks containinga solution, but in these instances the drums have been rotated onnon-oscillatory horizontal shafts'or' axes, precluding my saidarrangement. of cathode, and above described effects of my apparatusupon the solution and articles, nor do I claim any such devices.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is thefollowing, viz

1. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable container susoended from one sidein said solution and otatable therein on an axis at an angle to the trel of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container onsaid axis, an an 111 said solution outside of said container, and acathode within said container.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one sidein saidsolution and rotatable on an axis at an pbliq'ue angle to thelevel of the surfacebf said solution, means to rotate said container onsaid axis, an anode in said solution outside-ref said container, and acathode within said container.'

3. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic-- solution, a permeable container suspended from, oneside in said solution and rotatable on an axisat an angle to the levelof the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on saidaxis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and withinsaid container a cathode concentric with said axis and extendingradially in a plurality of directions therefrom.

4:. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one sidein said. solution and rotatable on an axis at an angle to the level theinner surface of said container a cathode 1 concentric with said axisand extending radially in a plurality of directions therefrom.

5. An electroplating apparatus comprising a. stationary tank containingan electro lyt c solution, a permeable container suspended from one sidein said SOlIltlOIl and rotatable on an axis at an angle to the levelofthe surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on saidaxis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and withinand at the bottom of said container, a cathode extending radially fromsaid axis.

(3. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one sidein said solution and rotatable on anaxis at an angle to the level of thesurface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis,an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and onthe bottom of said container, a cathode concentricwith said axis.

7. Aif electroplating apparatus comprising a stationarytank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly ex-- panded containersuspended from one side with its base downwards insaid solution,rotatable on its own central axis at an angle tothe level of saidsolution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in saidsolution outside of said container, and within and on the base of saidcontainer a cathode.

8. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly expanded container,suspended from one side with its base downwards in said solution, r0tatable on its own central axis at an angle to the level of the surfaceof said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anodein said solution outside of said container, and within and on the baseof said container a cathode concentric with, and of less area than saidbottom.

9. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containingan electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly expanded container,suspended from one side with its base downwards in said solution rotat-able on its own central axis at an angle to the level of the surfaceof said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, astationary anode in said solution outside of said container, and withinand on the bottom of said container a cathode concen-' said solutionoutside of said container,

cathode within said container, and means to raise and lower saidcontainer relatively to said solution.

11. In an electroplating apparatus comprising a cathode, an anode, and atank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container, meansto suspend said container from one side thereof, and means to oscillate.said container in a plane projected at an angle to the horizon.

12. In an electroplating apparatus comprising a. cathode, an anode, anda tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container, meansto suspend said container from one side thereof, means to oscillatesaidcontainer in a plane projected at an angle to the horizon, and meansto rotate said container around an axis projected at an angle to thehorizon. v

. l3; Infan electroplating apparatus comprising an anode and a tankcontaining an 14:. In an electroplating apparatus comprising an anodeand a tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable containercontaining at its lower end a cathode, means at its opposite end tosuspend said container, means to oscillate said container in a planeprojected at an angle to the horizon, and means to rotate said containeraround an axis projected at an angle to the horizon.

JOHN T. DANIELS. VVit-nesses: I

PHILIP C. PEoK, G. G. MEASURES.

